We recently received an urgent appeal from New Yorkers to Cure Paralysis, asking people to write letters to their legislators to get funding for the Spinal Cord Injury Research Program (SCIRP) fully restored.
SCIRP was created in 1998 when $8.5 million per year, generated from a surcharge on moving traffic violation fines, was designated to catalyze clinical and research efforts to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. This fund established New York State as the leader in research in Spinal Cord Injury. In 2010, despite enormous progress at the lab bench and human bedside, the SCIRP was defunded and surcharge dollars were used to fill budget gaps. This resulted in the disruption and termination of research efforts and progress to human clinical trials. Governor Cuomo has proposed restoration of $2 million for SCIRP in his 2014/15 budget – far short of the $8.5 million mandated by law.
We would urge you to take a moment to send a note to your legislators to encourage them to restore full funding to this vital program. See the links below for more information and download the attached form letter to use as a guide for your own letter. Please make sure to send your letters asap as negotiations are ongoing and letters must be received before February 14th to have an impact.
Sample Letter to Download and Personalize
Helpful Links
New Yorkers to Cure Paralysis
http://newyorkerstocureparalysis.org/
Find Your Legislators’ Name and Address
http://www.commoncause.org/siteapps/advocacy/search.aspx?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4860375
Additional Lawmakers to Contact
Governor and Legislative Leaders
Hon. Andrew M. Cuomo
Executive Chamber
State Capitol
Albany NY 12224
Hon. Dean Skelos
Republican Conference Leader
New York State Senate
Room 909 LOB
Albany, NY 12247
Hon. Jeffrey D. Klein
Independent Democratic Conference Leader
New York State Senate
Room 304 LOB
Albany NY 12247
Hon. Sheldon Silver
Office of the Speaker
New York State Assembly
Room 932 LOB
Albany NY 12248
Fiscal Committee Chairs
Hon. John A. DeFrancisco
Senate Finance Committee Chair
Room 416 Capitol
Albany, NY 12247
Hon. Herman D. Farrell
Assembly Ways and Means Committee Chair
Room 923 LOB
Albany NY 12248
Health Committee Chairs
Hon. Kemp Hannon
Senate Health Committee Chair
Room 420 Capitol
Albany, NY 12247
Hon. Richard Gottfried
Assembly Health Committee Chair
Room 832 LOB
Albany NY 12248
